Mike
When I got my 32 Express a few years ago it had a slope back but I wanted a full camper.
(1) I discussed with my cavas guy & we used the existing snaps UNDER the hard top it made head room a little lower but it does not leak in the rain ( I'm 6'1" & head room is not a problem). He said if we put it on top of the hardtop he would use a slide track,(harder to take the top down) the only good way to keep water from running under canvas between snaps.
(2) All sides of the camper roll up & hang from straps that are sewn on one end & snap on the other. I had back made in2 pieces with zipper in the middle just so it wasn't such a big piece to handle. I had a door put on each side at the gates. Make the door with 2 zippers I first had him make it with 1 zipper at the rear of the gate & thought I would just unsnap the other side from the boat side. This piece would not roll up easily & it would not lay across the top of the top for just quick in & out of the boat. I took the sides back & had him add a zipper toward the front too. This would have been cheaper if he would have done it when he made the sides He had a lot of time involve holding the pieces in place as he sewed the new zippers in. I did not have canvas covers for the clear as the boat is in a covered slip but he could have done it for extra $$'s.
(3) He also made the frame work & it is fastened to the deck, on top of the lip that runs around the cockpit.The railing is not stable enough to hold the top if you are running on plane with the sides off but with the top up. I also had the snaps around the bottom fasten to the lip around the cockpit INSIDE the rail. A friends canvas is on the out side of the rail but he has trouble with it wearing out in the corners, his is also harder to snap from the inside.
I told my canvas guy that all I cared about was having it done by next season. He started on it the first part of December & finished it in February as weather would allow him to work outside. My boat was also located about 25 miles from his shop so he installed it when convient for him. He gave me an off season discount !
This was done in 2007, 2008 winter final bill was about $1600.00. He was not rushed, work was excellent, everyone @ our marina has commented on what a great job he did !.
I hope this helps. Ask more questions if you think of them. I would post pics but I haven't figured out how just yet.
I know this is the wrong time of year to say this but to everyone on here If have a project you need done on your boat have your boat guy
DO IT IN WINTER we are always looking for work that time of year! Most people put things off until spring & then do not understand why we can't get to it. I get so frustrated @ people who call on May 25 & want their boat out of storage, shrink wrap removed, detailed, dewinterized & in the water for memorial day weekend!
Dave
1986 32 Flybridge - Express "Steel Head " (formerly fron Lake Erie, East Lake OH)
5.8 Chryslers 275hp each.
Charleston Boat Club Kanawha River Charleston WV